Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.227 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 April 1863 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Writes that they marched to Fort Dix. Describes General Corcoran and 6-8,000 troops going on a recognizance mission and retreating when they saw a rebel battery with a few hundred troops manning it. Criticizes other recent military moves and complains about the newspapers giving all the credit to the New York regiments. Requests that a vest be made for him and that his family send a new strap for his field glass.
Sunday A.M. Apl. 26.
Dear All, My letter of Friday closed as we were marching off with one day's rations. We marched two or three miles to Fort Dix, which commands the Edentown road & the 8th Connt, 19th wisc & 9th Vermont all under command of Col. ward remained as reserve, manning the fort & breastworks while Genl Corcoran & 6 or 8,000 troops proceeded out on a reconnaissance. They marched out bravely until they found a rebel battery with a few hundred men in support & then they hastily retreated. Very brilliant affair, - nothing under heavens accomplished - & so it is with every thing here. The fort that we surprised & captured a week ago to day was - evacuated the next day - by Genl Peck's order & nothing hinders the enemy from planting other guns on the same point & annoying the gunboats as much as ever. I see the papers as usual give all the credit of taking the battery to the New York Regt. The battery was taken by both Regts & I have not yet seen a man who ventured to say which flag was in first. All the officers of both Regts were ordered to gather such men as they could of either Regt & not wait to form but rush on & the battery was taken by a rush from each Regt. Col. Ward commanded under Genl Getty. The men of my Co. who was wounded we now hope will recover. Remember me to Capts. Ripley & Rockwell & Lt Marvin. did not know that Geo. was Capt. Dont like to have you talk of leaving the old place. I could not think of any other place as home. I think you must miss some of my letters as I have written every two or three days since our troubles here. You are just coming from church as I sit writing. I wish I could have been with you. Capt. Moore is just up from camp & says we are to move the camp a little farther down the river so I must close & hurry back. I am up here (old camp) this morning for a wash & change. Best love Chas would like to have Thompson make me a vest & you send when you can. I want also a new strap for my field glass - the old one is of patent leather & is breaking. want the new strap of good black leather 3/4 of an inch wide & 5 or 6 feet long. I carry the glass at all times.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.